The Ambassador of the Republic of Poland to the UK, His Excellency, Professor Arkady Józef Rzegocki, will take part in a virtual visit to Jersey tomorrow, Thursday 18 March.
The virtual visit aims to enhance Jersey-Poland bilateral relations and continue to build on the strong links between citizens. This is part of a post-Brexit push by the Government’s European Relations team to enhance and develop Jersey’s ties with Europe.
During his visit, the Ambassador will meet with His Excellency the Lieutenant-Governor, Air Chief Marshal Sir Stephen Dalton, who will officially welcome him to the Island. He will also meet the Bailiff of Jersey, Mr Timothy Le Cocq, who will offer a virtual tour of the States Chamber and the Royal Court.
The Ambassador, Chief Minister, Senator John Le Fondré, and Minister for External Relations, Senator Ian Gorst, will discuss how to strengthen ongoing and future Jersey-Poland bilateral and business relations, and ways to continue supporting and working with the Polish community in Jersey.
The Ambassador will also meet representatives of Jersey Finance Limited and the Jersey Financial Services Commission for discussions on sustainable finance.
The visit will also be an opportunity for cultural exchange, with Jersey Heritage providing a virtual tour and discussion of the ‘People Make Jersey Exhibition’, and the Ambassador taking part in a virtual public discussion on the preservation of declining languages, together with Geraint Jennings, a Jerriais expert. Tickets for the event are free, but Islanders should register through Eventbrite.
Chief Minister, Senator John Le Fondré, said: “I’m proud to be welcoming his Excellency to the Island, albeit virtually. Our Polish community in Jersey continues to make a vital contribution to Jersey’s economic and cultural life.
I’m pleased that we’ll have the opportunity to introduce His Excellency to the Island, and share with him some of the cultural benefits that Polish citizens have brought to our community.”
Minister for External Relations, Senator Ian Gorst, said: “Jersey has a strong commitment and great warmth towards our Polish community. We have responded to the challenges of COVID-19 and Brexit with a commitment to protect the rights of Polish citizens in Jersey, including organising repatriation flights during the outbreak of COVID-19 where requested, and introducing the Jersey-EU Settlement Scheme.”
“Given the disruption caused by COVID-19, and the ongoing work Jersey is undertaking following Brexit, it is more important than ever that we have an opportunity to meet with His Excellency, and discuss ways that we can continue to work together.”
Ambassador of the Republic of Poland to the UK His Excellency, Professor Arkady Józef Rzegocki, said: “It is with a great pleasure that I am virtually visiting your beautiful island to strengthen and deepen the bilateral cooperation between Poland and Jersey.
“Despite the ongoing COVID-19 pandemic, Poland is economically strong and resilient and it is worth investing in. Therefore, with my visit, I would like to create conditions for further relationship development between Poland and Jersey in the years to come.
“Furthermore, I believe that personal contacts of people are the best way to foster good relationships. A lot of Poles have chosen Jersey as their home. That is why one of Poland’s priorities during the negotiations of the Withdrawal Agreement was to secure rights of the EU citizens after Brexit.”
“We are satisfied with the results and the settlement scheme and very glad that Jersey also decided to secure rights of UE citizens who have been living here. I hope that the large Polish minority residing in Jersey will be a factor that will continuously contribute to the increase in the dynamics of bilateral cooperation between Jersey and Poland in many areas.”
Government of Jersey News Release.